Tether for captive plug of inflation device

ABSTRACT

A tether adapted for use in a device for inflating and deflating an inflatable article. The device shown has a body affixed to a wall of the inflatable article at a hole therethrough, the device having a tubular insert or nipple sealed to the body and a closure element or plug functioning as a stopper for the nipple, the plug being completely removable from the nipple to deflate the article. The plug has threaded engagement with the nipple, and functions as an inflating check valve when the valve is opened by partially unscrewing the plug from the nipple. The inflation device incorporates a novel tether for the rotatable plug, the tether permitting free rotation of the plug with respect to the nipple, and the complete removal of the plug from the nipple while retaining it tethered, as during the deflation of the inflatable article.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 601,032, filedAug. 1, 1975.

This invention relates to a tether for a captive rotatable part, forexample of a device for inflating and deflating inflatable articles.

In the illustrative embodiment, the device has a body affixed to a wallof the inflatable article having a hole therethrough, the device havinga tubular insert or nipple sealed to the body and a hollow closureelement or plug functioning as a stopper for the nipple, the plug beingcompletely removable from the nipple to deflate the article. The plughas threaded engagement with the nipple, and functions as an inflatingcheck valve when the valve is opened by partially unscrewing the plugfrom the nipple. The inflatable article can be completely deflated byremoving the plug from the nipple.

The inflation device incorporates a novel tether for the rotatable plug,such tether being the subject of the present invention. The tetherpermits free rotation of the plug with respect to the nipple and thusthe complete removal of the plug from the nipple while retaining ittethered, as during the deflation of the inflatable article.

The above and further objects of the invention relating to economies ofmanufacture and use of the device and advantages thereof will more fullyappear upon consideration of the following specification, and of theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation taken toward the outer end of a preferredillustrative embodiment of the inflation valve device of the invention,the device being shown mounted upon a fragmentarily illustrated portionof the wall of an inflatable article such as an inflatable boat;

FIG. 2 is a view in vertical axial section through the device and theportion of the side wall of the inflatable article on which the deviceis mounted, the section being taken along the line 2--2 in FIG. 1, theplug of the device being shown in fully closed position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with the plug of the device showndisposed in its open position and with an inflating fixture connected toa source of air under pressure applied to the device during the act ofinflating the inflatable article;

FIG. 4 is a view in vertical axial section through the device and thepanel of the inflatable article to which it is attached, the plug beingshown in its open position in which the valve element thereof normallyfunctions as a check valve, a portion of the valve element of the checkvalve being shown manually unseated whereby to exhaust air from theinterior of the inflatable article;

FIG. 5 is a view in vertical axial section through the inflation deviceand the portion of the panel of the inflatable article to which it issecured, the plug being shown in the course of its being furtherunscrewed from the position thereof which it occupies in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 but with the plug or checkvalve portion of the device having been fully removed from the nipple ofthe device, the air within the inflatable article being thus free forescape through the nipple; and

FIG. 7 is a view in vertical axial section through the device with theplug or check valve having been fully removed from the nipple and withthe fixture shown in FIG. 3 having been inserted into the nipple and nowconnected to a source of reduced pressure, whereby fully to exhaust theair from the inflatable article following its deflation so as tofacilitate the folding and packing of the inflatable article.

Turning now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof,the inflation valve shown, which is generally designated by thereference character 10, is shown sealed to a panel 12 of an inflatablearticle such as a boat at an opening 11 through such panel. Theinflation device 10 is located within the internal space 14 of thearticle. The outer, main body of the device, which is generallydesignated 15, has a frusto-conical portion 16, the outer largerdiametered end of which is joined to an annular flange 17 which issealed to the panel 12 as by being vulcanized or adhesively bondedthereto. The body 15 may, for example, be molded of rubber orrubber-like material such as neoprene.

Disposed coaxially of the body 15 and bonded and sealed thereto at theinner end portion 19 of body 15 is an insert sleeve or nipple 20 havingan axially outer tubular portion 21 and an axially inner radiallyoutwardly extending annular flange 22. The insert sleeve 20 also has athickened annular hub 24 disposed thereon and spaced somewhat axiallyoutwardly along the insert from the flange 22. The hub 24 has an annulargroove 25 therein intermediate its axial length, groove 25 serving tosecure the inner ring portion of a novel tether, to be described, forthe removable plug or check valve element of the inflation device.

The flange 22 has a plurality of equally angularly spaced holes 26therethrough. Extending radially inwardly from the axially inner end ofthe insert sleeve 20 is an annular flange 29. The body 15 of theinflation device is molded about the insert sleeve or nipple 20 so thatrubber or rubber-like material integral with the body 15 extends throughthe plurality of holes 26 in the flange 22 of the tubular insert,extends downwardly over the rear end of insert 20, axially within thepassage through the flange 29 and then radially inwardly to cover theaxially inner surface of flange 29 to form an annular valve seat 46.Material of the body 15 also extends into the annular groove 27 formedbetween the axially outer surface of the flange 22 and the axially innersurface of the hub 24, such material also extending forwardly to theplane of the rear wall of the annular groove 25 in the hub 24. Theinsert sleeve 20 may be made of any one of a number of metals, forexample, aluminum, having the requisite strength and corrosionresistance properties, or from plastic materials. One such latermaterial may be 40% glass filled nylon made by Liquid NitrogenProcessing Corp. It is additionally desired to point out that the body15 of the inflation device may also be made, for example, ofpolyvinylchloride or polyurethane as well as the above-mentioned rubberand rubber-like materials.

In the preferred embodiment of the device, the body 15 is provided onits axially inner end with an axially shallow central annular boss 30having a plurality of equally angularly spaced radial slots 31 therein.The slots 31 provide for the free passage of air into and out of thecentral passage at the axially inner end of the body 15 even through anopposing panel of the inflatable device should be in snug engagementwith the axially inner end of the body 15.

The nipple 20 is provided with external threads 32 extending from itsaxially outer end, threads 32 cooperating with internal threads 33 on anouter skirt 35 on a hollow plug or valve member generally designated 34.The outer surface of skirt 35 is scalloped or fluted at 36 to provide aneffective grip thereon. The plug 34 is further provided with an innerskirt or sleeve 37 which is disposed coaxial of the outer sleeve 35 andwhich is connected thereto at its axially outer end by an annularportion 39 of the plug. Preferably the plug or valve body is formed asan integral molding of a strong, rigid plastic material, although it maybe formed of any one of a number of metals having desired strength andcorrosion resistance properties. The radially inner surface of thenipple 20 and the radially outer surface of the inner skirt 37 of theplug or valve accurately interfit, as shown.

Integrally attached to the axially inner end of the inner skirt 37 is atransversely disposed multi-perforated inner end plate 40 which is alsopreferably formed as a part of the integral molding which forms the plugor valve body. The end plate 40 has a central hole 41 therein, hole 41serving lockingly to receive a central tapered pin 44 on a diaphragm 42the main body of which is formed as a disc of resilient rubber-likematerial such as neoprene. The tapered pin 44 has an annular undercutportion at its root which extends into and through the central hole 41in the end plate 40 when the diaphragm is fully mounted thereon, theannular shoulder outwardly thereof at the larger end of the centraltapered pin 44 snapping past the forward edges of the hole 41 when thediaphragm is fully mounted thereon as shown in FIG. 2.

When the plug or valve member of the device is in its fully closedposition, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer rim portion 47 at the inner faceof the diaphragm 42 sealingly engages the molded annular seat 46 whichoverlies the annular inner flange 29 on the nipple 20. In order toincrease the local unit pressure exerted upon the diaphragm by the rimof the end plate 40 thereon, there is provided a shallow axiallyinwardly projecting annular bead 43 on the axially inner end of theinner skirt 37 of the plug, the bead 43 being positioned coaxial of theplug and of the diaphragm 42, and aligned with valve seat 46.

In FIG. 3, the device is shown with the plug or valve portion thereofpartially retracted from the annular valve seat 46 and with an inflationfitting 49 applied to the hollow plug so as to introduce air underpressure through the inner skirt 37 of the plug, through theperforations in the end plate 40 thereon, and past the rim of thediaphragm 42 which is now free for deflection by the pressure air in adirection to the left so that the air can flow into the interior of theinflatable article. The fitting 49 is sealed to the outer end of an airinflation tube 50 which is connected to a source of pressure air (notshown). Fitting 49 has a circular cylindrical larger diametered portion51 beyond the end of the part thereof attached to the air supply tube50, and a smaller diametered circular cylindrical forward portion 52having an annular bead 54 at its forward end. The diameter of portion 52of the inflation fitting and the diameter of the bead 54 are such thatwhen the portion 52 is thrust into the axially outer end of the innerskirt or sleeve 37 of the valve it makes sealing contact therewith.Further sealing between the inflation fitting and the valve is providedby engagement between the annular outer end portion 39 of the valve bodyand a flexible skirt 57 formed at the forward end of the body 51 of theinflation fitting by the provision of an annular groove 56 therein.

After the inflatable article has been inflated to the desired pressure,the inflating fitting 49 is withdrawn therefrom. Immediately thereafter,the diaphragm 42 is thrust to the right against the axially innersurface of the multi-perforated end plate 40 of the valve by thepressure of the air within the inflatable article, thereby checking theescape of air from the inflatable article. If the pressure within theinflatable article is correct, the plug or valve may then be screwed inso as to move it to the left from the position shown in FIG. 3 into thefully closed position shown in FIG. 2.

Should the inflatable article have been inflated to an unduly highpressure, the pressure therein can be relieved by the local unseating ofthe diaphragm from the end plate 40 when the plug or valve is in theposition thereof shown in FIG. 3. This is accomplished by the provisionof a radially extending tab 59 having an axially outwardly extendingbutton or post 60 thereon which can be engaged by a finger thrust withinthe inner skirt 37 of the plug. The tab 59 is hinged to the main portionof the multi-perforated end plate 40 by a plastic hinge 61, as shown.The outer end of the tab 59 is disposed radially inwardly of the axiallyinner end of the inner skirt 37 and of the annular bead 43 thereon, sothat the sealing of the valve is not disturbed either when the valveelement is in the fully closed position of FIG. 2, or when it is in theposition thereof shown in FIG. 3 and functions as a check valve, asabove-described, after the flow of air into the inflatable articlethrough the tube 50 and the inflation fitting 49 has stopped.

The inflation device shown incorporates a novel tether, as indicatedabove, whereby the valve or plug 34 is retained attached to the insertor nipple 20 even though the valve has been fully unscrewed therefrom.Such tether, which is generally designated by the reference character62, is made of flexible plastic material in sheet form and has acircular body made substantially of two concentric rings spaced radiallyfrom each other, as shown in FIG. 1. The inner ring 64 of the tether isgenerally separated from the outer ring 65 thereof by two oppositelydisposed symmetrical part-circular slots 63 which extend completelyaround the rings with the exception of the zone of a radially extendingtab 66 which secures the two rings together. At a location disposed 180°spaced angularly from the zone of the tab 66 there is provided a foldedstrap 67 one end of which is attached to the outer edge of the outerring 65 and the other end of which is attached to the axially inner endof the outer skirt 35 of the body of the valve or plug. Preferably thetether including the inner and outer rings 64, 65, the tab 66, and thestrap 67 are molded integrally with the body of the valve element orcap. The engagement between the inner ring 64 of the tether and thewalls of the annular groove 25 in the hub 24 on the nipple 20 is such asto allow the free rotation of the tether with respect to the nipple.

Because of the symmetrical disposition of the inner and outer rings 64,65, and of the tab 66 and the strip 67, there is no possibility ofbinding or twisting of the parts of the tether as the cap or valveelement is turned. To ensure this condition, the rings, tab and strap ofthe tether have lateral dimensions which markedly exceed theirthickness, whereby such parts are readily bent out of their planes butpossess marked stiffness in their planes.

In FIG. 7 there is shown a further operation which is advantageouslyconducted by employment of the fitting 49. Here, it is assumed that theair within the inflatable article has been substantially exhausted fromits interior by the removal of the plug or valve portion of the device.As is well-known, however, unless further steps are taken such as thelocal pressing or folding of the inflatable article, there remains asubstantial amount of air within it so that the folding and storing ofthe article are difficult. To overcome this condition, the fitting 49and the tube 50 connected thereto may be connected to a source (notshown) of reduced pressure (vacuum) and the portion 51 of the fitting 49may then be thrust within the nipple 20 so that a substantial sealexists between the annular bead 58 on the end of the skirt 57 of thefitting. The last vestige of air then may be drawn out of the inflatablearticle through the nipple 20. The provision of the above-describedannular boss 30 having the radial slots 31 therein prevents any portionof the interior of the inflatable article from being cut off from thesource of reduced pressure by reason of sealing engagement of anopposite wall of the inflatable article with the inner end of the body15 of the device.

Although the invention is illustrated and described with reference to asingle preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be expressly understoodthat it is in no way limited to the disclosure of such a preferredembodiment, but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope ofthe appended claims. Thus although the device of the invention has beendescribed as being used with an article inflated with a gas such as air,it is to be understood that it can also be used to advantage witharticles which are filled or inflated with or which contain other fluidmaterial such as liquids. One such use in on waterbeds. The terms"inflation device" and "inflatable article" employed herein areaccordingly to be given an interpretation consistent with thisparagraph.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a device having a nipple and a closure member for the nipple which spans the opening therethrough, the application of the closure member to and its removal from the nipple involving rotation of the closure member relative to the nipple, the improvement which comprises a tether attaching the closure member to the nipple while permitting its removal therefrom, the tether being made of flexible plastic material in sheet form and having a circular body made substantially of two concentric rings spaced radially from each other, means rotatably securing the inner ring to the nipple inwardly of its outer free end and concentrically therewith, a radial tab connecting the two rings at one zone, a flexible strap connected at one of its ends to the outer edge of the outer ring at a second zone, such second zone being disposed diametrically opposite the first zone, the other end of the flexible strap being connected to the closure member.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the rings, tab, and strap of the tether are formed integral with the closure member.
 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the rings, tab, and strap of the tether have lateral dimensions which markedly exceed their thickness, whereby such parts are readily bent out of their planes but possess marked stiffness in their planes.
 4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the closure member has a skirt which is telescoped over the nipple, the other end of the strap being connected to the inner end of the skirt.
 5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the strap is connected to the outer edge of the outer ring, when the closure member is fully applied to the nipple the inner end of the skirt of the closure member is disposed axially outwardly of the rings, and the strap is bent into a single fold between the outer ring and the skirt of the closure member. 